About Us

The Shelby County Youth and Education Nonprofit Committee brought together nonprofits across varied sectors to share concerns and draw attention to issues that are barriers to residents’ success. We collectively identified major issues per sector and identified ways to address a part of a systemic problem.

The Children, Youth, and Education Committee worked with the Early Literacy Consortium and partners to align early literacy resources that culminate in a Shelby County-inspired phonics book that looks like and reflects the diversity of our residents. Shelby County A to Z will be distributed to thousands of early readers.

2023-2024 Leads

Reginald Milton, Office of Education and Youth Services

Amy Kalb, Youth and Family Resource Center (Shelby County)

Cardell Orrin, Stand for Children Tennessee

Sam O'Bryant, Literacy Mid-South

About the Book

Shelby County A to Z celebrates the largest county in Tennessee using colorful photography and illustrations. This book walks through the alphabet and highlights sites in the county.

We worked with literacy experts to ensure that each term not only aids in learning but also enriches your child's understanding of the place we all call home. You might wonder why some people or places aren't included in the book, and that's in large part because

we had to pick just the right words for the letter sounds.

It is our hope that this book will not only provide a foundation for learning, but also inspire you to visit these landmarks together someday.

Quotes

Mayor Lee Harris:

“ Reading with young children is essential to giving kids the head start they need for their growing brains. Please enjoy this new book for early readers as you explore it with your child. Read it together and discover the people, places, and things that make our community great.”

Janet Lo, Deputy Administrator for Community Partnerships - Shelby County Government:

“ We know that children need to see themselves in the books that they read. We've created a picture book for children and their families to read together and explore people, places, and things in their community called Shelby County A to Z. ”

Cardell Orrin, Memphis Executive Director for Stand for Children and subcommittee co-chair:

"A seed of an idea was given during a Memphis visit by Nell K. Duke to have an alphabet book rooted in literacy research and reflecting our specific community. The Shelby County Youth and Education Nonprofit Committee members took that seed and planted it in rich community soil, watered it with engagement and love (words submitted from across Shelby County), and shielded it from weeds that might pull it down. Kifani Press (Ashley Davis & April Foxx) came in as the expert gardener to bring it to the full bloom of a beautiful flower to present to the children and families of Memphis/Shelby County!”

About Us

About the Book

Quotes

Mayor Lee Harris:

Janet Lo, Deputy Administrator for Community Partnerships - Shelby County Government:

Cardell Orrin, Memphis Executive Director for Stand for Children and subcommittee co-chair:

Partners

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